Vietnam's Tourism Sector Welcomes Over 6.5 Million Visitors During National Day Holiday

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism said on late September 2 that the southern metropolis welcomed an estimated 1.65 million domestic visitors and 62,000 foreign tourists over the break. A range of cultural and artistic activities will be held during the holiday. In Da Nang, the “Hoi An Memories” show will present its “Flag Hat” version from August 26 to September 2. Phu Quoc will host the “The Memory of Flowers” exhibition, while Thanh Hoa will organise the Sam Son Kite Festival 2026 from August 30 to September 1. Red national flags line streets across Vietnam, historical sites welcome large numbers of visitors, and a wide range of cultural and artistic activities create a special atmosphere during the National Day holiday. If properly developed, these elements could become distinctive tourism products for international visitors. Resolution No. 26-NQ/TW, issued on August 22, sets out a new vision, with a focus on fundamentally renewing the mindset, methods and approaches to tourism development and governance, shifting from quantity to quality and increasing the sector’s contribution to the national economy. Seasonality has long been a challenge for Vietnam’s tourism industry. In many localities, tourism peaks in summer but visitor numbers fall during the rainy months. Destinations are now seeking to restructure their tourism ecosystems and develop products that can operate year-round. Running through October, it features a wide range of distinctive experiential activities, including a Mong flute performance contest, ethnic costume displays, a competition to create traditional patterns using beeswax, banh day (glutinous rice cake) pounding and lively street parades. As travellers increasingly seek authentic local experiences, the central coastal city of Da Nang is stepping up efforts to integrate cuisine into tourism itineraries, linking culinary promotion with destination branding and cultural preservation. Hanoi’s tourism events are increasingly designed to inspire exploration beyond individual festivals. At the Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival, for instance, visitors can make handicrafts with artisans, explore destinations through virtual reality and discover new tours and tourism stimulus programmes. The tourism market is shifting from sightseeing towards living and connecting with destinations. Visitors increasingly seek authentic and locally rooted experiences, interaction with local people, culture and nature, as well as small-group and personalised trips with limited environmental impact and clear benefits for communities. Thanks to its unique ecological value, U Minh Ha is a priority wetland for conservation in the Mekong Delta. It is also a prime spot for research, environmental education and ecotourism. The upgraded Lien Khuong Airport is also a major advantage for the local renowned destination of Da Lat in tapping promising international markets, including the Republic of Korea (RoK), Malaysia, India, Taiwan (China), Singapore and Russia. Resolution 26-NQ/TW is seen as an important milestone, opening up new orientations and development opportunities for Vietnam’s tourism sector. The 190-km route runs between Hue, Dong Ha, My Trach, Dong Hoi and Tho Loc stations, giving travellers access to destinations including the Complex of Hue Monuments, Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, Vinh Moc Tunnels, Hien Luong–Ben Hai historical site and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Reports estimate that around 300,000 international visitors use medical services in Vietnam annually, generating 1-2 billion USD in spending on treatment, accommodation, transport and food. By linking tourism development with environmental protection and the preservation of traditional culture, Ta Van, following administrative restructuring, is emerging as a destination rich in cultural identity and natural resources. Vietnam has consistently identified tourism as a spearhead economic sector, Deputy PM Pham Thi Thanh Tra stressed, adding that in the new development era, with the need for rapid and sustainable growth and a stronger national position, MICE should be positioned as a strategic tourism product, targeting high-quality visitors while generating additional momentum for trade and investment and enhancing national competitiveness. The implementation of joint action programmes has delivered positive results. In 2025, the four CLMV countries welcomed 32.3 million international visitors, up 9.6% from 2024, generating approximately 45.8 billion USD in tourism revenue. The newly adopted joint action plan on ACMECS tourism cooperation for 2026–2028 focuses on five key pillars: improving connectivity and facilitating travel; promoting digital transformation and smart tourism; developing ecotourism, community-based and cultural tourism; enhancing tourism security and safety; and developing human resources. ITE HCMC 2026 features one of its largest and most diverse tourism networks to date, with tourism promotion agencies and businesses from the Republic of Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Bhutan, Russia’s St. Petersburg and Nicaragua. According to Expedia, search volume for Phu Quoc jumped by 25%. Among the featured islands, Vietnam's "Pearl Island" stands out as the premier destination for "affordable luxury" – offering high-end resort experiences at accessible price points. Among the hotels featured, JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort, developed by Sun Group on Kem Beach in southern Phu Quoc, stands out as the only representative from Vietnam. Travel + Leisure also selected an image of the resort’s iconic Shell Pool, set among coconut palms and white sands, as the lead image for the article. The conference adopted a joint action plan for 2026-2028 aimed at realising the “One Journey, Three Destinations” initiative, sharpening competitiveness and developing cross-border tourism products. Lam Dong welcomed around 900,000 international visitors in the first seven months of 2026, up 15% year-on-year, while international tourist-days increased 18% to nearly 2.9 million. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.